The tight-knit village of Shadyside has quiet living on the Ohio River
Tucked along the west bank of the Ohio River, Shadyside is a tight-knit village with 3,400 residents in a one-square-mile area. Basic necessities, including a grocery store, schools and restaurants, are all located conveniently close. In fact, Village Administrator Erica Tamburin says that many residents enjoy getting around town in a golf cart instead of a car. "Shadyside offers a quiet, safe village life, which is great for those preferring small-town pace," Tamburin says. "There's a strong sense of community rooted in annual festivals, family centered schools, volunteerism and evolving small businesses."
Vintage homes along gridded streets
Shadyside homes were mainly built in the 1900s. Older bungalows and American Foursquares are interspersed with midcentury ranch homes. The median home price is $160,000, with smaller properties needing renovations starting around $100,000 and larger two-story houses getting up to $270,000. Despite its rustic location, Shadyside almost feels like an urban neighborhood. Homes are tightly spaced on gridded streets, and detached garages often take up most of the backyard. There aren't many mature trees in most residential areas.
Career-focused courses at Shadyside High School
Niche rates Jefferson Elementary School an A-minus, Lenora Middle School a B-plus and Shadyside High School a B-minus. All three schools are located within the village, meaning local students have a short bus ride each morning. Shadyside High partners with the Belmont Career Center to provide specialty courses like architecture design, construction techniques and 3D animation.
A new playground and pickleball courts
In recent years, the area around Shadyside Community Center has become a central park. In 2023, a playground was added, and in 2024, the village began resurfacing an outdated basketball court into pickleball courts. Kids can also play outdoors at the Shadyside Youth Sports Fields. "Sporting events are held there all summer long," Tamburin says. The Ohio River is mostly inaccessible from the village, but there is a small marina for boat owners.
Pubs and pizza joints along Central Avenue
Central Avenue is lined with coffee shops, pizza joints and homey pubs. Good Thymes feels like a classic American diner, and Tiger Pub has occasional live music or comedy nights. "Those are both staples in the area," Tamburin says. For groceries, there's the local Riesbecks and Dollar General.
Street festivals and small-town community
The village's headline event is Shadyside Loop Fest, a street festival along Central Avenue with live music, games and car shows. "It brings everyone together," Tamburin says. Throughout the rest of the year, there are small yard sales, a trunk or treat event and a Christmas parade. Residents can find community at several local churches, and the Shadyside Public Library has storytimes, book clubs and free WiFi. "The library is a true community anchor," Tamburin says. "And our local churches and volunteer groups empower residents to improve parks, school facilities, and plan events."
Direct access to Ohio River cities and Pittsburgh
Shadyside is located on state Route 7, which connects communities along the Ohio River. The road can be noisy for homes directly nearby. Wheeling is less than 10 miles north, and Moundsville is just over 5 miles south. Both cities have hospitals and shopping malls on the West Virginia side of the river.
Pittsburgh is about 65 miles away, typically just over an hour in the car. The large city has major employers and the Pittsburgh International Airport. "We have many residents who commute for work," Tamburin says.
Past flooding and efforts to mitigate risk
In 1990, Shadyside was devastated by a flash flood that caused significant damage to the village. The Ohio Emergency Management Agency responded to the incident by installing warning systems, and Belmont County regularly updates and enforces hazard plans and zoning rules. The Ohio River Valley is still known to flood occasionally, though no flood of this magnitude has affected Shadyside since. According to FirstStreet.org, the area's risk of flooding is severe. "The tragic 1990 flood reshaped the village's identity, leading to better planning and mitigation tools that are still evolving," Tamburin says.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
